Latest news in Health benefits

Canadian employers embracing customization of benefits plans

Canadian employers embracing customization of benefits plans

While 72 per cent of Canadian employers said they expect to differentiate their benefits programs for recruitment and retention in the next three years, just…

  • By: Staff
  • March 22, 2019 September 13, 2019
  • 08:30
Conference coverage: 2019 Employers Cancer Care Summit

Conference coverage: 2019 Employers Cancer Care Summit

On Feb. 27 in Toronto, the 2019 Employers Cancer Care Summit addressed cancer-related concerns tied to benefits plans in the workplace. Here’s what you missed:…

  • By: Staff
  • March 22, 2019 September 13, 2019
  • 08:00
Gap services one solution to evolving developments in immunotherapy

Gap services one solution to evolving developments in immunotherapy

When it comes to cancer treatment, immunotherapy is a game changer with an exciting future ahead, according to Dr. Jeff Rothenstein. However, the therapy, where a patient’s immune…

Encouraging graduated return to work for employees with cancer

Encouraging graduated return to work for employees with cancer

Since today’s cancer patients are much younger than they were in the past, doctors are treating patients who are actively working and are young parents, said Dr.…

Highlighting the role of vaccines in preventing HPV-related cancer

Highlighting the role of vaccines in preventing HPV-related cancer

Since human papillomavirus can have a significant impact on the health of the working-age population, it’s necessary to talk to patients and employees at to look…

Access to targeted treatment key to one patient’s experience with lung cancer

Access to targeted treatment key to one patient’s experience with lung cancer

When Betty-Lynn LaFrance was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2017, she was completely shocked as she’d never smoked and had been very active her entire…

A patient’s journey with melanoma and drug coverage concerns

A patient’s journey with melanoma and drug coverage concerns

Living her best life with her husband Jeremy, Karen Formosa was looking forward to retiring within the next six years.  But all that changed when…

The employer role in bridging gap in cancer support

The employer role in bridging gap in cancer support

When Lisa Machado was diagnosed with a rare leukemia 11 years ago, one of her biggest challenges was finding emotional support and education. “And so…

Improved benefits, bereavement leave in new contract for Manitoulin hotel workers

Improved benefits, bereavement leave in new contract for Manitoulin hotel workers

Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre employees will see a 55 per cent increase in their health benefits reimbursement amount and an additional day of bereavement as…

Budget 2019: Feds to develop a strategy for high-cost drugs for rare diseases

Budget 2019: Feds to develop a strategy for high-cost drugs for rare diseases

In its 2019 budget on Tuesday, the federal government confirmed it will work with partners to move forward on three foundational elements of national pharmacare. The initial…

Head to head: Who’s responsible for detecting benefits fraud?

Head to head: Who’s responsible for detecting benefits fraud?

With benefits fraud a growing issue for plan sponsors, the recent spate of fraudulent activities at large organizations has prompted the question of who’s responsible…

University of Waterloo includes retirees in pension, benefits governance

University of Waterloo includes retirees in pension, benefits governance

Despite changing demographics and rising health-care costs, it’s uncommon for employers to include retirees in their pension and benefits governance. However, the University of Waterloo…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • March 15, 2019 September 13, 2019
  • 08:58

Improving engagement, retention by taking care of employees’ loved ones

Employees have multi-dimensional lives, with responsibilities outside the workplace that affect how they perform within it. This is why companies that are consistently recognized as…

Back to basics on health-care spending accounts

Back to basics on health-care spending accounts

In June 2017, Doctors Without Borders added lifestyle and health-care spending accounts to its traditional benefits plan. The organization still provides insurance, drug coverage of…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • March 15, 2019 March 6, 2021
  • 08:53
2019 Drug Plan Trends Report: What’s next for drug plans?

2019 Drug Plan Trends Report: What’s next for drug plans?

Though many plan sponsors are still using step therapy to manage drug plan costs, pharmacogenetic testing is receiving attention as more providers enter the market,…

  • By: Jann Lee
  • March 15, 2019 March 6, 2021
  • 08:53
More employers offering innovative health-care spending accounts: report

More employers offering innovative health-care spending accounts: report

While traditional health-care plans remain the most common form of employer offerings, 66 per cent of Canadian organizations are now providing health-care spending accounts, according to a new…

  • By: Staff
  • March 13, 2019 September 13, 2019
  • 08:45
Mental and emotional health spilling over to financial stress: study

Mental and emotional health spilling over to financial stress: study

Stress hurts, and it’s not just about mental and emotional health strain, it’s also about financial stress, according to a workforce well-being survey by Buck Consultants.…

Green Shield launches fraud detection, prevention strategy based on AI

Green Shield launches fraud detection, prevention strategy based on AI

Green Shield Canada is partnering with HBM+’s health benefits management solutions provider division to introduce an artificial intelligence-based fraud detection strategy. Under the new Claim…

  • By: Staff
  • March 8, 2019 September 13, 2019
  • 08:20
Expert panel on pharmacare suggests harmonized national drug formulary

Expert panel on pharmacare suggests harmonized national drug formulary

The advisory council on the implementation of national pharmacare has submitted its interim report to the federal government. The report sets out three initial recommendations for…

  • By: Staff
  • March 6, 2019 September 13, 2019
  • 15:00

Employers urged to prepare for incoming EI parental sharing benefit

With the federal government’s new employment insurance parental sharing benefit taking effect in a couple of weeks, employers are being advised to prepare for the changes. “Employers…

Great-West Life partners with Shoppers Drug Mart for medical cannabis coaching program

Great-West Life partners with Shoppers Drug Mart for medical cannabis coaching program

The Great-West Life Assurance Co. is expanding its coverage of medical cannabis, which includes a new agreement with Shoppers Drug Mart Inc., to deliver its medical cannabis…

  • By: Staff
  • March 4, 2019 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00
65% of Canadians would take cannabis if covered by insurance

65% of Canadians would take cannabis if covered by insurance

Two-thirds (65 per cent) of Canadians would take a drug containing cannabis if it were prescribed by a doctor, approved by Health Canada and covered by…

  • By: Staff
  • March 1, 2019 September 13, 2019
  • 15:15
Competition Bureau looking at protection strategies for biologics market

Competition Bureau looking at protection strategies for biologics market

The Competition Bureau has discontinued an inquiry into allegations that Janssen Inc. inhibited the Canadian market for biosimilar products that compete with its biologic product Remicade.…

WSIB policy on medical cannabis takes effect

WSIB policy on medical cannabis takes effect

While the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board has traditionally handled medical cannabis on a case-by-case basis, it’s new policy on the drug takes effect on March 1,…

  • By: Staff
  • February 28, 2019 September 13, 2019
  • 15:15
Art Babcock retiring from Aon

Art Babcock retiring from Aon

Art Babcock is retiring after more than 40 years in the Canadian group benefits industry. In 1974, he started his career at the Metropolitan Life Insurance…

  • By: Staff
  • February 28, 2019 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00